Senator Warner (D-VA) answers a constituent who asked what he was doing to bring about an end to Israel’s destruction of Gaza, a destruction made only possible by the thousands of bombs—most of them “dumb” ones—that the US is delivering around-the-clock to Israel:
“Thank you for contacting me regarding the horrific October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, and the heartbreaking and devastating conditions in Israel and Gaza. I extend my deepest condolences to everyone who has been affected by this brutal violence.”
A master stroke out of the gate in framing an issue. The equivalent to “the horiffic … attacks … by Hamas against Israel” is “the heartbreaking and devastating conditions in Israel and Gaza”. In one, blame is placed squarely; in the other, the causal connection between the “devastating conditions in … Gaza”—conditions created and being perpetuated as we speak—evaporates. That’s necessary, of course, because to express that causal link would implicate the US in the war crime that Israel is committing in Gaza’s wholesale destruction. Far be it for an American politician to admit as much. But if anyone is looking for a way to slip-slide past an issue—when talking to a largely ignorant audience, it’s worth mentioning—Senator Warner offers one.
“The leadership of Hamas continues to state clearly that their goal is the complete annihilation of Israel. While Israel has the right to defend itself against the ongoing threat posed by Hamas, they also have an obligation to follow laws of conflict, minimize harm to civilians, and support the flow of humanitarian assistance. These points are critical, and I have joined a number of my colleagues and President Biden in pressing the Israeli government on them.”
The assertion that the goal of Hamas is the “complete [vs. incomplete?] annihilation of Israel” may be true. (“May be” because, while Hamas does not recognize the State of Israel, its stated goal is an end to Israel’s subjugation of Palestinians.) The intent, of course, is to justify what Israel is doing to Gaza by distracting with meaningful reference to Israel’s “obligation”.
Warner insists that the “critical points” are adherence to the laws of conflict, minimization of harm to civilians, and support for humanitarian assistance. His solution? To join Biden “in pressing” the Israelis. This is lip-service. Near as we can tell, “pressing” means suggesting, cajoling, and pleading (and not because what Israel is doing is criminal not to mention in violation of civilized values, but because public sentiment appears to be turning). Any threat of sanctions? Of immediate cessation of the thousands of bombs that make the annihilation (to borrow Warner’s own term) possible? A refusal to provide further vetos in the UN Security Council? Not a hint.
“I am very concerned about the current humanitarian situation in Gaza, which leaves more than two million individuals in dire need of assistance. Even before the October 7 terrorist attacks and subsequent response, close to 1.2 million people in Gaza had been relying on UN and broader humanitarian aid in the face of basic needs shortages. I was glad to see President Biden’s announcement of $100 million in U.S. funding towards humanitarian aid, and on October 18, I joined a number of my Senate colleagues in pushing the State Department to make a strong funding commitment in response to the emergency appeal by the United Nations.”
The classic American approach: use money to paper over the fundamentals. Avoid mentioning how and why 1.2 million Gazans have had to rely on assistance “in the face of basic needs shortages” in the first place. It helps Warner elide from the conversation Israel’s decades-long control over Gaza to the point where Israelis got to decide how many calories Gazans are permitted to consume each day. And, especially, how the US—every presidency and every Senate—has aided and abetted what Israel has been doing to avoid the most obvious, not to mention long-ago agreed, solution: two states, one for the Arabs, one for the Jews. Aside from being pitifully insuffient to the need, the $100 million is designed to distract constituents with a shiny object while salving the conscience of senators.
“I have supported and called for extension of the truces that have allowed for the release of some of the hostages, and enabled increased delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. Continued dialogue to pause the fighting and allow for the space and time to support these efforts is vital.”
Blather. “Truces” do little except enable a few fortunate to escape the madness. (Escape to where is different question.) Pauses in the fighting will have zero impact on Israel’s—and, from the evidence, Americans’—ultimate aim, which is to make Gaza uninhabitable for Palestinians and thereby force mass expulsion. When the time comes, will anyone in Washington say the words “ethnic cleansing”? Not a chance. Warner and his colleagues will shrug, self-satisfied that they urged “[c]ontinued dialogue”.
“Funding for humanitarian assistance is critical, as is access. Efforts continue to increase the number of trucks that are providing aid into Gaza, and the United States must continue to press for greater aid distribution, along with conditions that will allow for heightened ability of humanitarian organizations to safely reach innocent populations who most desperately need this assistance. I, along with several of my colleagues in the Senate continue to work with the State Department to push for this assistance and for safe passage for those seeking this humanitarian relief.”
What, exactly, will an “increase [in] the number of trucks” accomplish? When yet another American “dumb” bomb creates yet another crater twenty feet deep, will it matter to the bits-and-pieces of ex-humans in it that they had a sandwich before the lights went out? Israel’s government is not oblivious, of course, to the message that the Senate’s public rhetoric about humanitarian assistance is meant to send to Jerusalem: keep doing what you’re doing; we’ve got you covered; the ammo will keep coming.
“I am also concerned about threats to West Bank stability, including growing instances of extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank by Israeli settlers. These attacks, which target Palestinians and seek to evict them from their homes and destroy property, carry the potential to provoke a broader conflict and widespread violence. On November 7, I joined a number of my Senate colleagues in writing to President Biden, urging that the U.S. enhance diplomatic efforts to prevent further violence and forcible displacement in the West Bank.”
More of the same. How “concerned” is Warner really? Washington has looked on with implicit approval of the land theft committed in the West Bank by Israel and the accompanying violence perpetrated by Israel. The at-will killing of Palestinians—always, of course, in the name of “fighting terrorism”—including the use of live ammunition on kids throwing stones are standard Israeli practice. Where have you been all these years, Senator? “[V]iolence against Palestinians in the West Bank” has been a constant for decades, during which time not a peep out of you or your colleagues.
“[E]nhance diplomatic efforts” highlights the scam. Reference to diplomacy suggests two sides whose conflicting views need to be reconciled to arrive at a sensible agreement. This does not exist in the West Bank. There is an occupier and the occupied. Were you remotely interested in being helpful, you would explicitly call for an end to Israel’s occupation and implementation of the two-state solution. Anything short of that is pure political performance art. Easy enough for you, of course; you’re thousands of miles from where the execrable happens each day with American support.
“In discussing this conflict, let us be clear – Hamas terrorists do not represent the interests of innocent Palestinians, who in fact have suffered under Hamas control. Nor do they reflect Palestinian American or Muslim communities. This conflict has inflamed hateful Islamophobic and antisemitic actions and rhetoric that cannot be tolerated, and must continue to be called out. I will continue to call out these actions, and support federal initiatives to address this hateful behavior, and support our nation’s religious communities.”
If it’s so clear that Hamas “[does] not represent the interests of innocent Palestinians,” why does the US government—including the Senate—affirmatively condone Israel’s destruction of the entire economic infrastructure (in itself a war crime) of Gaza? American “pressing” of Israel on the issue of harm to civilians is serious about preventing that harm or a fraud intended for public consumption that Israel and the US are the good guys.
What makes the latter far more likely is Washington’s full awareness of Israel’s publicly stated intentions, which are to make Gaza uninhabitable. Washington is equally aware that, without US munitions, the destruction of Gaza would be impossible. Yet it continues to supply them. This makes it obvious that, contrary to public statements by the president and senators like Warner, in American minds there is no difference between Hamas and “innocent Palestinians,” meaning that there’s no such thing. Collective guilt, too, is a war crime.
. . .
“I appreciate the time you have taken to share your views with me, and as Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, you may be assured that I will continue to monitor this situation closely, and will work with the President, our intelligence community, and our international allies and partners to continue support for the innocent Palestinian and Israeli civilians.”
Good grief.
